| As many as half of all infants may experience acid | | | | food with the discomfort of infant acid reflux. These |
| reflux from time to time. Ironically, majority of these | | | | babies end up losing weight since they are not able |
| infants are otherwise healthy and does not require | | | | to keep food in the stomach long enough to nourish |
| any special medical intervention. When the acids and | | | | them. |
| other contents in an infant's stomach go back up into | | | | Respiratory problems may develop in babies with |
| th esophagus, infant acid reflux occurs. | | | | infant acid reflux when the lungs inadvertently suck in |
| The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the | | | | the food that's already in the esophagus. These |
| throat to the stomach. It usually contracts contracts | | | | babies wheeze and gasp for breath. In addition, infant |
| in order to push food down the throat and into the | | | | acid reflux may cause enough damage to the baby's |
| stomach. The esophageal sphincter, which is a rim of | | | | esophagus and make it bleed. As a result, babies with |
| muscle located at the bottom of the esophagus and | | | | infant acid relux may end up with anemia |
| at the top of the stomach, opens up to allow food | | | | Typically, infant acid reflux issues disappear on their |
| from the esophagus into the baby's stomach. Once | | | | own or following changes in how you position your |
| the food is in the stomach, the esophageal sphincter | | | | baby while he or she drinks and eats. Your physician |
| then closes tightly in order to prevent the food from | | | | may recommend that you frequently give your baby |
| flowing back up into the esophagus. | | | | small meal portions instead of fewer large meals. The |
| A baby with infant acid reflux has an esophageal | | | | doctor may also suggest thickening baby formula. He |
| sphincter that is not properly working. The stomach | | | | or she may also advise you to hold your baby upright |
| acid and other contents flow back to the esophagus, | | | | during feedings. It also helps if you burp your baby |
| causing the infant discomfort. Babies with infant acid | | | | while he or she is eating and also afterwards. |
| reflux can exhibit symptoms such as spitting, | | | | If your baby is experiencing serious infant acid reflux |
| vomiting, coughing or occasional fussiness and crying | | | | symptoms, see a doctor right away. The doctor will |
| right after their meals. Babies affected with infant | | | | do tests to confirm if your baby does have infant |
| acid reflux may also be reluctant to eat once they | | | | acid reflux or some other illness. If infant acid reflux is |
| become accustomed to experiencing the unpleasant | | | | the culprit and other measures have resulted in not |
| and uncomfortable burning sensation in their chest | | | | much success, the doctor will prescribe drugs or |
| and throat. | | | | recommend surgery in order to tighten the |
| Although infant acid reflux is usually mild and | | | | esophageal sphincter. In most cases, however, infant |
| short-lived, sometimes a baby may experience infant | | | | acid reflux is not a serous concern. Babies typically |
| acid reflux symptoms that are severe and consistent. | | | | outgrow infant acid reflux on their own with no |
| The frequent crying or fussiness during meal times | | | | adverse effects. |
| develops into a refusal to eat once a baby associates | | | | |